Reviewed by: Interim Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 10/15/2024
ITEM NO: 10
DESK ITEM
DATE: October 15, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Katy Nomura, Interim Town Manager
SUBJECT: Receive a Report and Provide Direction to Staff on Potential Reach Code Modifications
REMARKS:
Attachment 1 contains the staff presentation.
Attachment Received with this Desk Item:
1. Staff Presentation
This Page Intentionally Left Blank
Reach Code Modifications
Town Council Meeting
October 15, 2024
ATTACHMENT 1
BACKGROUND
The following table summarizes the key differences between the 2022 State Building Code and the Town’s Reach Code:
*Installation of gas outlets serving water heaters, cooktops, and clothes dryers require the installation of electrical circuits for future conversion of fixtures.
Appliance 2022 State Code* Los Gatos Reach Code
Water Heating Gas or Electric Electric Required (All Buildings) Space Heating Encourages Electric Electric Required (All Buildings) Cooking Gas or Electric Electric Required
Outdoor Gas or Electric Electric Required
Specialized Processes
(Industrial / Restaurants)
Gas or Electric Electric with Exemptions
Summary of Options
A summary of the options, and the pros and cons of each, is summarized below.
OPTION PROS CONS
1. Repeal portions of the existing Reach
Code and allow natural gas in new
buildings and major remodels.*
• Avoids litigation based on federal law
preemption.
• Allows for continued use of natural gas,
contributing to greenhouse gas
emissions and poor air quality.
2. Repeal portions of the existing Reach
Code and replace it with an alternative
Reach Code using Energy Performance
Standards.*
• Uses established processes through Title 24
of the California Building Standards Code.
• Legally sound – Only increases compliance
margin.
• Requires cost effectiveness study and
California Energy Commission approval.
• Requires additional resources and adds
complexity during implementation.
• Doesn’t address stoves, dryers,
fireplaces, pool heating, etc. Only
addresses central heating and water
heating.
• Doesn’t prohibit new gas infrastructure.
3. Repeal portions of the existing Reach
Code and set a Zero NOx-emitting
appliance threshold that regulates Air
Quality.
• It is comprehensive and can cover any
appliance that uses gas and emits NOx.
• Simple to enforce and conforms with
upcoming BAAQMD regulations.
• Does not require a cost effectiveness study
or California Energy Commission approval.
• Hasn’t been legally tested.
*Installation of gas outlets serving water heaters, central heating, cooktops, and clothes dryers require the installation of electrical circuits for future conversion of fixtures.
QUESTIONS?